16 USC 2103a - Forest Stewardship Program

U.S Code last checked for updates: Apr 30, 2024

§ 2103a.

Forest Stewardship Program

(a)

Establishment

(b)

Goal

(c)

“Nonindustrial private forest lands” defined

(d)

Implementation

In carrying out the Program the Secretary, in consultation with State foresters or equivalent State officials, shall provide financial, technical, educational, and related assistance to State foresters or equivalent State officials, including assistance to help such State foresters or equivalent officials to provide financial assistance to other State and local natural resource entities, both public and private, and land-grant universities for the delivery of information and professional assistance to owners of nonindustrial private forest lands. Such information and assistance shall be directed to help such owners understand and evaluate alternative actions they might take, including—

(1)

managing and enhancing the productivity of timber, fish and wildlife habitat, water quality, wetlands, recreational resources, and the aesthetic value of forest lands;

(2)

investing in practices to protect, maintain, and enhance the resources identified in paragraph (1);

(3)

ensuring that afforestation, reforestation, improvement of poorly stocked stands, timber stand improvement, practices necessary to improve seedling growth and survival, and growth enhancement practices occur where needed to enhance and sustain the long-term productivity of timber and nontimber forest resources to help meet future public demand for all forest resources and provide the environmental benefits that result; and

(4)

protecting their forests from damage caused by fire, insects, disease, and damaging weather.

(e)

Eligibility

(f)

Duties of owners

To enter forest land into the Program, landowners shall—

(1)

prepare and submit to the State forester or equivalent State official a forest stewardship plan that meets the requirements of this section and that—

(A)

is prepared by a professional resource manager;

(B)

identifies and describes actions to be taken by the landowner to protect soil, water, range, aesthetic quality, recreation, timber, water, and fish and wildlife resources on such land in a manner that is compatible with the objectives of the landowner; and

(C)

is approved by the State forester, or equivalent State official; and

(2)

agree that all activities conducted on such land shall be consistent with the stewardship plan.

(g)

Stewardship recognition

(h)

Authorization of appropriations

(Pub. L. 95–313, § 5, as added Pub. L. 101–624, title XII, § 1215(2), Nov. 28, 1990, 104 Stat. 3525; amended Pub. L. 102–237, title X, § 1018(a)(1), Dec. 13, 1991, 105 Stat. 1905.)

cite as: 16 USC 2103a